But before Monday’s revision, businesses were required to hold merchandise on site for 30 days and make items available for police inspection.

Over time, some businesses raised concerns about that length of time and particularly a potentially adverse effect on dealing in gold and other precious metals.

The value of gold fluctuates every day, and “We don’t want to significantly hinder businesses from being as successful as they can be,” “ Deputy Chief John Birk said.

As long as business keep a record of the transactions, the revised ordinance also exempts from the holding period coins, paper currency and bullion with no characteristics that distinguish it from other such items, as well as junk and scrap metal items.